LOUISVILLE, Ky., April 3, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Prescription medications, a key driver of our nation's rising health care costs, are the most frequently used health insurance plan benefit for most health care consumers, A proactive approach by the newly-formed Kentucky Health Cooperative (www.mykyhc.org) as it designs its health plan offerings is to effectively manage these costs. Kentucky's 4+ million residents, an estimated 15 percent of whom are uninsured, will have the opportunity to enroll starting Oct. 1, 2013 in a health insurance plan made possible by the landmark Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) health reform legislation – a partnership between the Kentucky Health Cooperative (KYHC) and ProCare Rx (www.procarerx.com).

"The result of a national search to identify a Pharmacy Benefit Manager with depth and breadth of experience in efficiently, accountably and transparently delivering pharmacy benefits led us to one provider, ProCare Rx," said Joseph E. Smith, chairman of the Board of Directors for the Kentucky Health Cooperative.

Smith said he was "delighted" by this newly-formed partnership and acknowledged ProCare Rx's national reputation for comprehensive clinical offerings, including innovative prescription drug cost management solutions and other Information Technology-reliant, comprehensive clinical services.

ProCare Rx owner Roger Burgess said, "We are honored that the Kentucky Health Cooperative has chosen ProCare Rx as its partner in providing citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky with safe, effective and affordable pharmacy benefits and we look forward to helping KYHC fulfill its vision for a healthier Kentucky."

"When considering the potential for health care cost efficiencies inherent to cooperatives' plan offerings, there is an opportunity to contribute in making a significant difference for individuals and small businesses, both of which have traditionally grappled with the issue of affordable health coverage. We, at ProCare Rx, are so pleased to partner with the Kentucky Health Cooperative."

About the Kentucky Health Cooperative The Kentucky Health Cooperative (KYHC), based in Louisville, is sponsored by a coalition of providers and business leaders dedicated to improving health outcomes by providing member-focused, accessible, cost-effective and quality-focused health care to individuals and small groups living in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KYHC was identified by the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to receive loans to create and operate a Consumer Oriented and Operated Plan, or co-op. Co-ops are non-profit, member-governed health insurance companies. KYHC is on track to offer health plan benefits starting Jan. 1, 2014.

About ProCare Rx ProCare Rx is an innovative, forward thinking National Pharmacy Benefit Manager and healthcare Information Technology company in business for over 25 years. It provides superior systems and services to large and small employers, Medicare Advantage plans, Medicare Part D prescription drug plans, Managed Care Organizations, HMOs, insurance companies, workers comprehensive plans, hospices and managed Medicaid plans. It has over 56,000 pharmacies in its retail network and owns its mail order and specialty pharmacy. It leads the industry in transparent relationships.